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LESSON PLAN

 

Presidential Powers

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Subject: U.S. History, Language Arts
Grade: 6-8, 9-12

 

Brief Description

Students study the section of the Constitution that refers to the executive branch and write a proposal for a new power for the president of the United States.

Students study and discuss the section of the Constitution that refers to the executive branch,

  • write a new section or clause describing a new duty for the president of the United States,
  • define the words power (as described in the Constitution) and proposal,
  • work together in cooperative groups.

Keywords

Constitution, president, United States, article, clause, section, amendment, power

Materials Needed

Lesson Plan

You may want to complete this activity in two lessons.

Lesson 1

  • Have students study the powers of the executive branch from library, textbook, or online sources.
  • Discuss the meaning of the word power as it relates to the president of the United States.
  • Divide the class into small groups. Discuss the meaning of the word proposal.
  • Tell students to brainstorm ideas for a new power for the president. Tell each group to write the suggestion as a proposal for a new section or clause to the article that describes a new power for the president.
  • Give students one or more days to complete the assignment.

Lesson 2
Students present their completed proposals. Let students choose the ones they think are most viable and reasonable.

Extension: Have the class send their proposals to a U.S. senator or representative for a reaction.

Assessment

Evaluate students' proposals.

Lesson Plan Source

Education World

 

National Standards

Social Sciences:
  NSS-USH.5-12.3

Language Arts:
  NL-ENG.K-12.1
  NL-ENG.K-12.3
  NL-ENG.K-12.4
  NL-ENG.K-12.5
  NL-ENG.K-12.6

 

Originally published 02/12/2002
Last updated 12/08/2008